Abstract
Two soil types were studied to determine effects of compost and chemical fertilizer, either alone or in combinaiton for improvement of the nutrient content. Microbial populations, viz, total and cellulolytic bacteria, total and cellulolytic fungi, nitrifying bacteria, Azotobacter, phosphate solubilizing bacteria and fungi in soil, treated with a combination of compost and chemical fertilizer, were higher than either compost or chemical fertilizer applied alone. Sandy siol receiving compost alone or in combination with chemical fertilizer greatly increased soil pH level, the amounts of organic matter, potassium, calcium, and sulfur, while, a small effect on changes of soil chemical properties (pH, organic matter and nitrogen) was only observed in clay soil. Corn growth increased by 208% in sandy soil than that in clay soil (162% increase) as compared with those with no fertilizer application. Changes of soil microbial population, organic matter and plant nutrient might result in high growth of corn.
